Late tonight, the Budva Municipal Assembly did not approve the reports concerning the Mayor’s performance and the municipal services for the years 2023 and 2024.

This timeframe corresponds to the administration of Milo Božović, who led the city for 21 months during this reporting period and is currently detained in Supška Remand Prison.

Councilors from the political group “Budva Our City,” nine in total, voted in favor of the reports, while those from the Democratic Party of Socialists, the European Alliance, the Europe Now Movement, and the Movement for the City opposed them.

The lengthy session, which featured 93 items on its agenda, began this morning at 10 am and was characterized by mutual political accusations between the coalition “For the Future of Budva” and the group “Budva Our City.”

During the meeting, the Parliament appointed new boards of directors for municipal enterprises and councils for cultural institutions. The Assembly’s Work Program for this year was also approved.

The commencement of the parliamentary session was again overshadowed by a political dispute between two factions that emerged from the dissolution of the former Democratic Front—the coalition “For the Future of Budva” and the group “Budva Our City.”

While discussing the Budva Municipal Council Work Program for 2025, councilor Bojana Pićan (“For the Future of Budva”) labeled the political group “Budva Our City” as traitors, prompting an immediate response from the President of the Budva Municipal Council, Petar Odžić, who cautioned her that she might lose her speaking privileges.

As she continued her remarks, Pićan noted that the Municipality has not yet adopted the Temporary Facilities Program, which should have been implemented last year, criticizing it as merely a tool for influencing election outcomes.

“The municipality has suffered, and there was no response,” Pićan stated.

She urged Odžić not to interrupt her while she was speaking, insisting that he apply the Rules of Procedure and revoke her right to speak instead of interrupting her.

“There is no election for the vice president of the Municipality in the work program. Does this imply Jovanović will operate without a vice president? They are traitors,” she added before being cut off.

Mayor Nikola Jovanović responded by saying that she had “mixed up the issues,” clarifying that the discussion was about the Assembly’s actions, not those of the executive branch.

He accused the New Serbian Democracy of hypocrisy, claiming that their statements, ranging from the cancellation of Kosovo’s recognition to Montenegro’s exit from NATO, were merely empty promises.

“You sat down for the anthem, yet now you stand tall like candles,” Jovanović remarked.

Milan Tičić (DPS) urged the Mayor to prevent disruptions and restore order, emphasizing the importance of addressing the 93 decisions on the agenda relevant to the city’s operation.

“Let’s not allow the blockage that has persisted for the last two years. No insults or derogatory comments,” Tičić pleaded.

Jovana Todorović (“For the Future of Budva”) called for an end to the assertion that Jovanović’s list was not allied with DPS.

“Today, for the first time, DPS councilors are speaking out; they’ve been silent in past sessions. A coalition with DPS has clearly formed,” she noted.

Aleksandar Božović (“Budva Our City”) highlighted that the same arguments are repeated in every session.

He accused Pićan of hindering the approval of the temporary facilities program.

In response, Pićan argued that the list “Budva Our City” received fewer votes than the coalition “For the Future of Budva,” claiming they had betrayed citizens’ trust by collaborating with DPS. Odžić interrupted again, asking to move on with the agenda.

“If you have personal issues, don’t handle them with bars like you have before,” Odžić responded.

Pićan shot back, “I’m not sure how to act normal among abnormal people.”

“It’s encouraging that you are on the road to reconciliation, so continue to consult with Jovanović,” she concluded.

Dukaj to Investigate Municipal Operations

The ongoing issues related to the replacement of councilors and the selection of the Municipal Election Commission were raised once again.

Councilor Bojana Pićan (“For the Future of Budva”) stated that legal violations by Nikola Jovanović persist, urging Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj to conduct an inspection in the Budva Municipality and reiterating that the Municipal Election Commission was appointed unlawfully. She emphasized that, despite her coalition securing the most votes, they hold only one seat on the Assembly’s Election and Appointment Committee.

“This represents arbitrary action and legal violations,” Pićan asserted.

Parliament Speaker Petar Odžić dismissed her allegations, contending that the coalition “For the Future of Budva” was offered the secretary position of the OIK but chose to decline it.

“You’re misleading the public with cheap political claims. You had every opportunity, yet you opted to obstruct the OIK’s operations,” Odžić stated.

Refuting his claims, Pićan maintained that, by law, the positions of president and secretary of the MEC belonged to her coalition.

Mayor Nikola Jovanović highlighted that there was an attempt to alter the coalition agreement “For the Future of Budva,” initiated solely by the first party without consensus from all members.

“It’s clear you have internal issues that need resolution. Your constituents have accused you of mandate theft. It’s unprecedented in political practice for coalition agreements to change in the wake of elections, taking away mandates, which constitutes a criminal act. The election of the MEC was entirely lawful.”

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